Short stay visa (Schengen)

General Information

The French Consulate will only accept applications from residents of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Bermuda.

Please be advised that visa applications by mail are not accepted.

The Consular Administration has full authority to evaluate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant. Obtaining a visa is not always guaranteed and does not in itself grant you the right to enter a French or Schengen territory. It is therefore necessary that you always carry with you the original documents used to obtain the visa.

Requirements

If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply at the consulate of the country that is your main destination meaning the country where you will be staying the most number of nights.

If you intend to visit several Schengen countries but do not have a main destination or will be staying the same amount of time in each of them, you must apply at the Consulate of the country you will enter first.

If you do not need a visa for the Schengen country that is your main destination, please note that a visa may be required for other Schengen countries.

If the applicant is under 18 years old, he/she must apply with at least one of his/her parents. Please present both nothorized parental authorization forms -allowing the applicant to travel to France and other Schengen countries- plus a copy of the child’s birth certificate and a copy of both parents passports.

You may only apply for your visa within 90 days of your departure, not any sooner.

The Visa section will not make any photocopies

From April 5th 2010, the implementation of the new Schengen code for the issue of visas is in effect.

On this occasion, we would like to remind all visa applicants that each file must be presented in exact duplicate (original of each document with their photocopies, as listed on the website).

The Consulate will, in no circumstance, make any photocopies and files can no longer be completed at a later stage.

All the files presented will be carefully examined by the Visa Department. However, we wish to emphasize the fact that if you do not produce all the requested documents (originals with their photocopies), the visa will be denied.

Therefore, reapplying will mean the rescheduling of an appointment and full repayment of the visa fee.

No exception will be made. For this reason, we do advise you to prepare your file with the utmost care in order to avoid any delays.

Please submit the following documents in original and 1 copy per applicant

The color photos must be recent, passport size - 2" x 2" (4,5cm x 4,5cm) and showing the full face, the forehead hairline and ears on a white background ; pictures must be without glasses, no scarf, nor hat and no smile. Click here

Valid for at least three months following the last day of your stay in France.

The validity of your passport cannot exceed 10 years from the date of first issuance. Make sure the passport has at least two blank pages left for visa purpose. Only these pages can be endorsed with the visa. Amendment pages can in no way be used for visas.

If the name on the passport is different than the name on the green card, please provide a copy of your marriage certificate or other document explaining the discrepency.

For non-US citizens

A U.S.A. residency card (Green Card) valid for at least three months following the last day of your stay in France.If the name on the passport is different than the name on the Green Card, please provide a copy of your marriage certificate or other document that explains that discrepency.(+1 copy)orI-551 stamp, (+1 copy)ora USA visa valid for at least three months following the last day of your stay in France, with I-94 (if J1 provid also J1 form), (if F1 visa provid also a valid I-20 form signed by your school), (+1 copy)oran Advanced Parole, which must be valid for at least 90 days beyond the last day in France. (+1copy)

confirmed and personal reservation by fax from the hotel(s) in France and in the Schengen countries to be visited and which must be sent directly to you and not to the Consulate, confirming your reservations for each night you will spend in France and the Schengen States (we do not accept emails nor online internet reservation confirmations),orpersonal hotel vouchers confirming your booking for a tour with names and addresses of all hotels with the number of nights stay in each (+1 copy),or - if you are staying with family or friend(s) you must present a certificate of board and lodging "Attestation d’Accueil", which has to be obtained by your relatives or friends at the city hall ("Mairie") + copy. The original needs to be stamped by this consulate to be valid and should be presented upon arrival in France.

Proof that you have at least 100 U.S.Dollars per day for each day you will stay in the Schengen countries. To be submitted in the four following forms:

your last 3 monthly bank statements in US currency and not a summary (+1 copy), Internet printed copies are not accepted unless they bare the account holder’s name.and your last 3 paystubs (+1 copy), and an up-to-date letter from your employer in the U.S.A mentioning your annual salary, stating that your requested time of absence has been approved and confirming your continued employment on your return (+1 copy) if your financial means are not sufficient, you may also provide a notarized letter from your sponsor stating he/she will be responsible for all your expenses and a proof of his/her financial means (+1 copy).

If you are a business owner

your business permit, license or registrationor your last tax returns (first 5 pages)and your last 3 monthly bank statements in US currency and not a summary (+1 copy), Internet printed copies are not accepted

A letter from an insurance company (+1 copy) stating that you will be covered for any medical, hospitalization and repatriation expenses (the three words must be written) for at least $45,000 during your stay in the Schengen countries. If your current insurance company does not provide such a coverage, please find an international insurance company (and ask for the letter mentioned above with the three words).

If you are traveling for business in France, the following documents, +1 copy, are also required

An official business invitation letter from a company in France and a letter from your employer in the U.S.A stating : That you are going to France on their behalf and for what purpose The name, address and contact number of the company to be visited That your employer takes full responsibility for all your expenses while in France and guarantees your return to the U.S.A.